Booker and Dax SEARZALL Manual

Safety information

The Searzall uses flammable gas. Failure to comply with these warnings and instructions may result in an explosion or fire that may cause property damage, serious personal injury or death.
Read and comply with the instructions in this manual and familiarize yourself with the Searzall before lighting and using. Review instructions and warnings periodically to maintain awareness.
Do not try to operate before reading instructions.
Keep Searzall out of reach of children and anyone who has not read the operating instructions.
DO NOT ever point Searzall towards face, other persons or flammable objects.
NEVER attempt to use the Searzall as a cigarette lighter.
Disconnect Searzall from torch when not in use.
Treat the Searzall as you would any fine tool or instrument. DO NOT drop, throw or abuse.
Always wear safety glasses when using the Searzall.
Work in well-ventilated areas.
Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
Be aware that the Searzall gets extremely hot during use. Take precautions to protect yourself and others from accidental burns.
NEVER use the Searzall on or near combustible materials.
ALWAYS make sure the gas tank is placed on a stable, level surface when setting it down. Be sure the Searzall is not pointed in a direction which could cause nearby objects to ignite when the torch is set down.
NEVER leave the Searzall unattended when lit.
ALWAYS have a fire extinguisher and a bucket of water nearby when using the Searzall.
NEVER used unapproved propane tank sizes due to tipping hazards.
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) code 58 does not allow the use of propane cylinders indoors for cooking SAVE these instructions
Questions? www.searzall.com

IN THE BOX

This package only contains one (1) Searzall (a), one (1) sleeve adaptor (b, may be pre-attached), one (1) extra inner screen (c), one (1) extra outer screen (d), one (1) 2-mm allen key (e), one (1) pre-attached thumbscrew (f), and one (1) Searzall spacing adjustment tool (the matchstick, g). Torch IS NOT included, but is necessary for use.

TORCHES AND TANKS

Before using your Searzall, make sure all parts are accounted for.
We require the use one of the following torches when using your Searzall:
Bernzomatic TS8000 (14282 Btu/hour, ~1.5 hours of searing per tank)
Bernzomatic TS4000 (6732 Btu/hour, ~3.25 hours of searing per tank)
We do not recommend using an Iwatani or other model of torch.
Non-recommended torches may present safety hazards and work poorly. See "Tanks" photo.

The Searzall requires a 16.4 oz "camping" propane gas cylinder tank (fat squat tanks, typically green). These tanks are easily found at hardware and camping supply stores. DO NOT USE 14.1 ounce propane tanks (the tall skinny ones, typically blue), They may tip over and start a fire. Do not use MAPP tanks.

ASSEMBLY

Always make sure gas is turned to the off position on your torch when assembling the Searzall. After reading these instructions you can go to www.searzall.com for an assembly demonstration video if you like.

1. Make sure the Searzall is firmly attached to the sleeve adapter (b). To place the Searzall on the adapter, loosen the thumbscrew (f), align the screw with the slot in the adapter (see picture) and slide the Searzall all the way on to the adapter. Tighten thumbscrew. The slot in the adapter keeps the Searzall aligned and prevents the Searzall from falling off of the torch during use even if the thumbscrew loosens slightly.
   
2. IMPORTANT ADJUSTMENT STEP! Loosen the allen screw in the adapter with the allen key (e). Slip the Searzall and sleeve adaptor onto the torch head. Use the Searzall spacing adjustment tool (matchstick) to set the spacing between the tip of the torch and the opening in the back of the Searzall (see picture). The tip of the torch should be 1/8 inch (3.25) from the hole in the back of the Searzall.
   THIS SPACING IS CRUCIAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE SEARZALL. If the spacing is larger than 1/8 inch, the inner screen could become compromised -- you will experience rapid metal wasting. This relationship is counter intuitive. If you lose the matchstick you may use one US dime and nickel stacked together, or two 5 euro cent coins.
   
   (Use included matchstick. Note thumbscrew is pointed down.
   Incorrect spacing can damage the inner Searzall screen! Once the adapter is properly adjusted, you may remove the Searzall without worry if you leave the adapter on the torch.)

Make sure the Searzall is properly oriented on the torch with the thumbscrew pointed down (see the picture labeled "Tanks") and tighten the sleeve adaptor into place with the 2-mm allen key (e). Do not over-tighten. Remove matchstick.

FIRST USE

The insulation in your Searzall is manufactured with a non-toxic organic binder that must be burned off before using on food. Additionally, an oxide layer must be built up on your screens, "seasoning them." Before using a new Searzall for the first time, ignite the torch, hold the front screen parallel to the floor and let it run for two minutes. It is normal for an odor to occur as the binder burns away. There will be no odor during normal operation. It is also normal for there to be some flame associated with burning away the binder.

HOW IT WORKS

Naked torch flames are too intense for most foods and create an off flavor called "torch taste." The Searzall has two very lightweight high temperature metal screens that convert most of the torch's flame into radiant heat. The Searzall won't create torch taste. The Searzall is an immensely powerful broiler in the palm of your hand. Because it is so lightweight it heats up almost instantly -- ready to cook in under 6 seconds.

What is and isn't the Searzall Good For?
While your Searzall can sear anything, its forte is anytime you need high heat for a fast finish. It is great on meats and fish. It is good at toasting bread. It is even powerful enough to sear pâté without melting it. Use it camping and at picnics and tailgates. Whenever you grill keep it around to melt cheese and sear the top of food without flipping. The Searzall will be your buddy when you are catering or food-styling. Some foods -- like crème brûlée -- are still best with a naked torch. The searzall works best in applications where you want to cook quickly with high heat. Some foods -- like duck breast -- are best crisped up slowly because they require fat rendering and moisture removal -- use a pan. The other point to remember is the Searzall excels at searing fairly small quantities of food. 1-4 steaks -- great. 30 steaks? Not so much. Go to www.searzall.com for ideas.

USING YOUR SEARZALL

• The Searzall makes a popping sound on ignition. This is normal.
• Allow 5-10 seconds for Searzall to heat up before searing.
• Place item to be seared on a flame-proof and non-flammable surface. Note that some ceramics are not flameproof and may shatter.

The optimal distance for searing is closer than you think: Steak sears best when the screen ia a bit less than 1" from the meat. If you feel that you "aren't searing fast enough" you are probably too far away. Very dry items, like breads, go from toasted to burnt quickly. A short start close to the item and then pulling back to 3" or 4" away is a good plan for these items. Any further than that will render your Searzall ineffective.

Searing:

Start by keeping the Searzall stationary over your food till it starts to sizzle (moist foods) or brown (dry foods). Then move the Searzall around over the area to be seared at a pace that keeps the whole area searing properly. Try to keep it moving, lingering in areas that need more attention. You will develop a feel for this. Often, when searing larger areas, you will achieve better results by making several light searing passes over the whole surface rather than searing smaller sections all the way before moving on to the next section. As a guideline, a rib steak takes between 1-2.5 minutes total to sear per side. There is a protective wire cage around the Searzall to prevent you from getting badly burned should you hit it by accident and to prevent a fire should the Searzall fall. The bottom front of the cage is cut away so you can sear the edge of foods that are resting on a flat surface.
Go to www.searzall.com for videos and tips on best practices.

When you finish searing, do not remove the Searzall from the torch before it has cooled completely. Place it in a standing position in an area where it will not be touched until it has cooled.

To remove the Searzall from the torch make sure it is cool then loosen the thumbscrew and remove. LEAVE THE ADAPTER ON THE TORCH. As long as the adapter remains in place the spacing between the Searzall and torch tip will automatically be correct when it is placed on the torch.

REPLACING THE SCREENS

Your Searzall should provide you with many hours of happy searing. During use the screens may become a bit warped. This is OK. Eventually, the inner screen (j) may develop a few holes in the center. This is OK. If the inner screen develops major holes it should be replaced. The outer screen (i) should only need replacing if you mechanically damage it. To replace screens remove the four screws (k) retaining the bezel (h) to the Searzall (careful, they are easy to lose -- see picture). Remove the bezel and replace the screens. Note the orientation of the inner screen -- the cupped portion sits in the Searzall cup maintaining proper distance between the screens. Refasten bezel. Season screens by running Searzall for 2 minutes with the front screen parallel to the floor. Additional screens available at www.searzall.com.